Research Scientist

Job Description Summary

The Watkins’ lab at George Washington University is seeking an energetic, motivated individual to join our team and lead our Protein Biochemistry and Biophysics work. The Research Scientist will be expected to design/engineer proteins and carry out purification and biophysical/functional characterization of tagged and untagged proteins. These engineered antigens and antibodies will need to be expressed in either mammalian or bacterial systems. This position is responsible for planning, conducting and supervising research at a high level, by designing and conducting experiments in a controlled laboratory setting. Using extensive experience and judgment, this role will plan independent research, analyze and interpret data, publish results, represent the university at conferences and meetings, develop new theories and methodologies, and will lead and direct the work of lower level research staff, while transferring technical expertise.

Responsibilities include:

1. Performs high-throughput screens for protein function, interaction, and expression.
2. Engineers proteins via directed evolution for a next generation protein sequencing platform and develops novel biochemical and molecular assays.
3. Conducts protein-ligand mechanistic studies and characterization (e.g. ELISA, SPR, Octet, SEC-MALS, MST, NanoDSF).
4. Performs protein engineering, production, and purification from E. coli, insect cell, and mammalian expression systems.
5. Performs other related duties as assigned. The omission of specific duties does not preclude the supervisor from assigning duties that are logically related to the position.

Minimum Qualifications

Qualified candidates will hold a Master’s degree plus 5 years of experience or a PhD plus 2 years of experience in a related discipline to include at least 2 years of research and/or college level teaching in a field basic to the work to be performed. Degree must be conferred by the start date of the position.

Preferred Qualifications

1. Proficiency in a structural imaging program (e.g. PyMOL).
2. Experience in microbiology, biochemistry or biophysics.
3. Clarity in communication as well as flexibility to adjust to a dynamic, high-paced research environment with shifting priorities and deadlines.
4. Familiarity with a variety of expression systems, protein structures and common characteristics.
5. Knowledge of AKTA instrumentation and a broad range of purification techniques (affinity chromatography, ion exchange, size exclusion, mixed mode).
6. Experience with different protein purification approaches such as affinity (His-tag, Fc-fusion), cation- and anion-exchange, size-exclusion chromatography (SEC).
7. Experience with protein characterization techniques, such as SDS-PAGE and Western Blot.

Campus Location

Foggy Bottom, Washington, D.C.

College/School/Department

School of Medicine and Health Sciences (SMHS)

Position Information

Full-Time/Part-Time: Full-Time

Hours Per Week: 40

Work Schedule: Monday through Friday, 8:30am - 5:00pm

Will this job require the employee to work on site? Yes

Required Background Check

Criminal History Screening, Education/Degree/Certifications Verification, Social Security Number Trace, and Sex Offender Registry Search

EEO Statement

The university is an Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer that does not unlawfully discriminate in any of its programs or activities on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or on any other basis prohibited by applicable law.